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Virginia

Misty of Chincoteague: An Island Adventure With Your Family

Program No. 22788RJ
Discover the real-world setting of Marguerite Henry’s “Misty of Chincoteague” with your family and explore the island habitats where wild ponies roam with other wildlife.
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Start
Regional StudiesFamily ProgramsLiteratureAges 8 – 17
Length
6 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
1,699 / ADULT
949 / CHILD
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals ( 5B, 4L, 4D )
5 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
4 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Museum of Chincoteague Island, next door to the hotel. Hotel check in for room assignment begins at 4:00 pm. Please feel free to call ahead of time if you know you will be late. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
In the Museum Pavilion.
Evening:
Orientation. After dinner in the museum pavilion, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Throughout the week, we will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private bus unless noted otherwise. This is a Road Scholar Family program. Families are responsible for their children/grandchildren at all times. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Walking on grass (and sidewalks). Ranch activities, including meeting two equine descendants of Misty of Chincoteague.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Begin the day with a presentation about Misty of Chincoteague, followed by a bus tour of the island specifically geared towards Misty of Chincoteague, Marguerite Henry, and their importance to the island. We will also visit the Beebe Ranch, where a local expert will give us a tour!
Lunch:
In the park, weather permitting, or on Museum property
Afternoon:
We will hop on the bus and head over to the Island Theatre. Here we will enjoy a private viewing of “Misty” — the classic movie based on Marguerite Henry’s beloved book “Misty of Chincoteague” that was inspired by real life. The movie premiered here in 1961. After the movie, we will head out to see where Misty left her hoof prints in cement on the sidewalk and Marguerite Henry herself wrote Misty’s name. Be sure to snap a photo of this iconic landmark!
Dinner:
In the museum’s Legacy Pavilion.
Evening:
We will gather in the Museum Pavilion, where we will hear from a local expert all about the events that occur during Chincoteague’s Annual Pony Penning Week – organized by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department – and explain why the ponies are so valued by the community and visitors to the island. (Note: This activity may move to a different time, dependent upon the Firefighter/Saltwater Cowboy’s schedule.)
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; Elective swimming and/or beach walking according to personal preference.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
A local expert will join us to discuss the Blue Crab, indigenous to our waters, and the industry surrounding this local delicacy. Next, we will board our bus and ride to the Assateague National Seashore, where we will head to the beach! Children as well as adults will be given the opportunity to swim in the ocean, as long as it is marked safe by the lifeguards. Children must be watched over by their grandparents. If you are not up for swimming, you are more than welcome to search for shells, build sandcastles, or relax next to the calming waves.
Lunch:
In the museum’s Legacy Pavilion.
Afternoon:
We will be joined by a local expert (and artist), who will talk about whelk, an ancient local creature still thriving today. After the lecture, she will work on an art craft with the kids pertaining to the lecture. Next, we will explore the Museum of Chincoteague Island, with the opportunity to explore exhibits about the people, culture and history of both Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Walking under 1 mile on wet sand and in marsh waters. Working in wet/muddy conditions; bring appropriate clothing and shoes to wear in the water.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will put on old shoes and clothes we don’t mind getting wet and take a field trip to Tom’s Cove on Assateague, where National Park Service rangers will lead us on an exploration of the cove waters as we look for clams, oysters, crabs, shrimp, and other shoreline critters. After a short break to change clothes, we’ll enjoy an entertaining presentation on local pirate history with a local expert.
Lunch:
Catered lunch in the Museum Pavilion.
Afternoon:
Current NASA policies permitting, we will board the bus and ride to the NASA Wallops Visitor Center, where we will have the opportunity to enjoy a self-led exploration of the visitor center’s featured exhibits about the history of the facility, aeronautics, rockets, scientific balloons, and current missions. Established in 1945, Wallops is now NASA's principal suborbital research facility, and one of the busiest spaceports in the country.
Dinner:
Kids will have a dinner party at the Museum of Chincoteague, while adults will take the bus to a local restaurant.
Evening:
While at the museum, kids will participate in group activities on museum property, with the help of two Road Scholar assistants and a local expert. After dinner, grandparents will return to the museum by bus, where grandchildren will have the opportunity to show their grandparents what they learned.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; getting on/off a pontoon boat; Walking 2 miles total on flat surfaces. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Taking the bus to Curtis Merritt Harbor, we’ll board a pontoon boat to cruise along island waters as we look for ponies, eagles, migrating birds, porpoises, and other marine life. Our boat captain and first mate will explain the marsh and shoreline habitats and regale us with stories of life on the water. We’ll pass clam beds, learn about aquaculture, and see the site of the Annual Pony Swim, which we will learn about from various experts throughout our trip.
Lunch:
Grab and Go lunch from the museum pavilion.
Afternoon:
Free time. This time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
Regrouping at the museum, we will have a traditional island picnic in the pavilion featuring regional favorites with live music. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
During breakfast in the hotel cafe, your group leader will conduct a round table, highlighting the week's activities and experiences. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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